Everyone was smiling and laughing as they ate the meal that Vaughn and Julian had so diligently prepared. Sydney couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation. Only months ago, a meeting, let alone a sit-down dinner, with all the people who were present would have been absolutely out of the question. She also couldn't hide her smiled, when she noticed how easily Julian eased into conversation now with Vaughn, not to mention Will and Eric. Things were coming together.

Everyone was too full for desert, so they all stood up quickly, filing back into the living room, so Sydney could tell the rest of them the remaining news she had. She cleared her throat awkwardly, smiling softly when Julian draped an arm around her. She glanced over him, marveling at how wonderful he looked in a black polo shirt that accentuated his upper body, and gray pants that looked marvelous on him. She glanced down at her finger, laughing inwardly about the irony of their relationship. Despite the fact that neither of them could remember their relationship as 'Julia and Andrew' or even the conception of their child, they were comfortable in how they felt for one another now. All had truly been forgiven. She didn't know how, but she wasn't about to mess with it.

All the faces in the room were staring intently in their direction, and Sydney smiled.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why we called you here," she said, and they nodded. Julian squeezed her hand to reassure her, and she squeezed his in return.

"As you all know, Julian and I were both held by the Covenant during the two years I was missing. We worked together...and were romantically involved," she said, and everyone's eyes widened.

"Julian's memory returned first, and he came back to rescue me. My mother had my memories erased, so nothing could ever be extracted from me in the case of my capture. That's why I didn't remember anything."

"When Julian returned to the Covenant to extract me, he discovered that the Covenant had been working on a project...a project that involved Rambaldi and his prophecy," Sydney said. Julian nodded, taking over for her.

"I discovered that the Covenant brought Sydney and I in for more than I had thought. They wanted Sydney, because of her role in the prophecy. Sydney was destined to bear a child who would bring the destruction of the world..." he said, trailing off. The others waited for him to continue in anticipation. He sighed.

"The father of this child has to be a descendant of Milo Rambaldi, and there is only one in existence. I am that man," he said, and the room became silent.

"So, they tried to steal your DNA?" Lauren asked, eyes wide.

"They didn't try. They did steal it. However, Sydney and I destroyed the facility, and any DNA they had taken from us," Julian said.

"Thank God," Will said, but quieted when he noticed the serious look on Sydney's face.

"A new problem has risen," she said quietly.

"What kind of problem, Syd?" Weiss asked.

"I'm pregnant," she blurted.

"What?" Dixon asked, leaning forward.

"Who's the father?" Will asked.

"I'm three months pregnant, and Julian is the father. This child was conceived during a time that we can't remember," Sydney said, her eyes filling with tears. Will stepped over to her, and pulled her into an embrace.

"Sydney, I'm so sorry. We had no idea. This must be so difficult," Will said.

"It is. We thought we stopped the prophecy from being fulfilled, but now we've only helped it along," Sydney said, and Julian nodded.

"That's why it is imperative that Sydney and this child are protected. When the Covenant discovers that she is pregnant, they will stop at nothing to take this child from us. If they succeed in taking the child, they will not hesitate to raise him or her to destroy the world as we know it," Julian said. The others seemed to shake their heads in disbelief.

"I'm just, in shock," Lauren said, looking up at Sydney, "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I'm okay. I'm not concerned for myself. I'm worried about our baby," she said, rubbing her stomach protectively. Lauren stood up, and walked to stand in front of Sydney.

"If there is anything I can do for you...please, don't hesitate to ask," she said, and Sydney smiled.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"So what's the plan?" Dixon asked. Julian rubbed his hand over his head quickly.

"The plan as of now is to keep Sydney in hiding until she's had the baby. We will remain here with Irina unless things become unsafe. I have various homes set up around the globe, should we be forced to leave this area. Once Sydney has had the child, and she has recovered, we only have one goal in mind," Julian said. Sydney sighed.

"Besides raising a family," she interjected, squeezing his arm.

"Yes dear," he said smiling, "Besides that, we only have one goal in mind,"

"And that is?" Jack asked curiously. Julian sighed, taking Sydney's hand into his own.

"We're going to take down the Covenant. That's the only way any of us will ever be truly safe."


*****


Later, Sydney was sprawled on Julian's bed, in a comfortable pair of pajamas her mother had bought for her. Julian couldn't help but marvel at how a woman could make a pair of pink flannel pants look so appealing. He laid next to her, smiling.

"What?" she asked, pulling her hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.

"You handled yourself beautifully today Sydney," he said, stroking her cheek. She smiled at the touch, taking a moment to glance over his shirtless body. Of course, she had always noticed how attractive he was, but now...she thought he was an absolutely beautiful man. She sighed, rolling her eyes.

"There was really no other way to handle it. I had to do it," she said, shifting to lay her head on his chest.

"Speaking of things we need to do, you have an appointment to get an ultrasound tomorrow," he said, and she smacked her forehead.

"I totally forgot," she said.

"You've been under a great deal of stress, love. Besides, that's what I'm here for," he said.

"Yes...I mean, what else are you good for?" she asked, giggling. He faked a gasp.

"Sydney, love, I'm appalled. I am the father of your child. I was obviously good for something," he said, smirking. He frowned when Sydney became quiet.

"What's wrong?" he asked, shifting so he could better see her face. She sighed.

"We're risking quite a lot by going to this hospital. What if we're spotted?" she asked. He sighed.

"I've been thinking about that myself, and though it's a risk, we have to make sure you're healthy, and that the baby is alright. If we are compromised, we'll just leave the area," he said, raking his hands softly through her hair, "Anything else that I should know about?" he asked, still getting the sense that something was wrong.

"I wish I could remember...how...when...this baby was conceived," she said, blowing out a breath. He nodded in agreement.

"Me too, love. Me too. However, we have all the time in the world now, to make memories that we'll never forget. Just remember that," he said, and she smiled.

"I will."

"Now, let's get some sleep," he said, slipping a pillow under his head, "we have that appointment early in the morning." He smiled when her head remained on his chest. Her breaths became shorter, and he watched her sleeping until his own eyes grew heavy, and he succumbed to sleep.


*****


"So, that's really the baby?" Sydney asked, her stomach cold from the fluid that had been spread over it. Julian's hand was clasped in her own, his own eyes wide as he watched the subtle movements of their child.

"Yes," the doctor said, smiling at the couple.

"Is there any way to know the sex at this point, doctor?" Julian asked, glancing at Sydney.

The doctor shook her head.

"It's too early to tell at this point. Just give me a second..." she said, rubbing the small metal object over Sydney's stomach. Julian and Sydney collectively smiled at the sound of a heartbeat, and Julian moved to kiss her forehead. Suddenly though, the heartbeat changed, and an echo could be heard. Sydney's eyes widened in confusion.

"Doctor, why is the heartbeat echoing like that? Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice raising unconsciously. The doctor was silent for a moment, but then her eyes lit up as she turned her attention back to the couple.

"No, actually...nothing's wrong at all. There is something you should know, however," the doctor said.

"What?" Julian asked, growing a bit impatient.

"Miss Bristow, you're having twins," the doctor said. The couple exchanged a rapid glance, and immediately turned to the doctor.

"What?" Sydney asked, a wide smile appearing over her face.

"Yes. Two heartbeats. Two babies," the doctor said smiling.

"I can't believe it," Julian said, his face contorting in disbelief.

"Neither can I. This is unbelievable," Sydney said, watching the screen, noticing the second baby.

"I can see it," she said, "Can you see it honey?"

"Yes," he said smiling, though his mind was racing. One thought ran through his mind, while he struggled to be happy about this new development.

This wasn't part of the prophecy.

What game was Rambaldi playing with them?